Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson during an NBA game.
When it comes to Ausar Thompson, the Detroit Pistons veteran is recognized as one of the top defenders in the league.
It’s been that way since Thompson arrived in the NBA, and he has certainly lived up to the hype on that end of the floor through his first few years in the league.
Following another impressive outing on the defensive side of the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans, Thompson’s head coach, JB Bickerstaff, made an interesting comparison for him.
According to the Pistons’ head coach, Thompson gives him flashes of Ron Artest.
“He reminds me a lot, and it may look a bit different, of how Ron Artest used to be when he would defend,” Bickerstaff told reporters, according to The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson.
“That type of physicality, the feet, the hands, being able to be so disruptive. … I don’t think there are many guys who can do what Ausar does.”
A Look Back At The Career Of Ron Artest
Ron Artest thinks he could be a good Knicks head coach
GettyLOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 27: Metta World Peace #15 and Head coach Mike Brown of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the game with the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on December 27, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 96-71. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Artest entered the NBA out of St. John’s in 1999. He was a first-round pick (16th overall) for the Chicago Bulls.
He carved out a long NBA career for himself. It spanned 17 years and over 1,000 games played between the regular season and the playoffs.
Artest started his career with the Pistons’ division rival in Chicago. After three years with the Bulls, he played for the Indiana Pacers. That stint would last five years before he took on a run with the Sacramento Kings.
After a quick stop in Houston with the Rockets, Artest spent four seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won his first and only NBA championship with them in 2010.
Artest had a quick run with the New York Knicks in 2013-2014, and would later return to the Lakers for two more seasons, before calling it a career in 2017.
Throughout his run in the NBA, Artest was a defensive ace. He finished in the top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting on two different occasions. In 2003-2004, he won the award while picking up his only All-Star accolade.
By the end of his career, Artest was a four-time All-Defensive player.
Ausar Thompson Has Plenty Of Time
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles during the third quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 29, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Thompson joined the Pistons as their fifth-overall pick in 2023. He was selected right after his brother, Amen, who went to the Houston Rockets.
While Thompson’s defensive value was on display from the jump, he had a major setback 63 games into his rookie season. Due to a health concern, Thompson’s rookie year ended prematurely, and his sophomore season got a late start.
Despite the setbacks, Thompson has remained a critical presence for the Pistons, who hang their hat on strong play on the defensive end of the floor.
Through his first three seasons, Thompson has averaged 1.6 steals and nearly 1.0 blocks per game. This year, he’s producing 2.0 steals per game.
Offensively, he’s been a solid contributor as well. Thompson is putting up 10.0 points per game, while making 51.4% of his shots from the field. Thompson is also producing 5.8 rebounds per game, along with 3.0 assists per game.